Talk:Timeline of the rationalist movement

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Pablo: see here -- this is about the older rationalist movement

Review by Vipul on 2025-05-12

Version reviewed: https://timelines.issarice.com/index.php?title=Timeline_of_the_rationalist_movement&oldid=84426

General standalone evaluation comments

Comments on "What the timeline is still missing"

Vipul: The things I think the timeline is missing seem to match up with the stuff in the "What the timeline is still missing" section. Thoughts on executing the stuff in that section? In particular, the stuff covered in the post about 1950s rationalists and the comments on it might be helpful. Some of the stuff from the extended timeline may be relevant.

It would also be good to talk about the evolution of critical rationalism beyond Popper.

Line-by-line comments

Vipul: I had one comment on a specific line but I decided to just make the change myself, so nothing pending.

External verification

Wikipedia page

Vipul reviewed the Wikipedia page and the timeline seems to do a good job covering the timings of the important stuff there.

ChatGPT

Vipul asked ChatGPT for a timeline of the rationalist movement and got output that was loosely similar to the big picture of this timeline. No additional suggestions from Vipul based on that output.

Extended timeline

Year	Event type	Details	Country/location
1596	Notable birth	René Descartes is born on March 31, 1596 in La Haye, Touraine, France. He would become a major rationalist figure in the history of philosophy. He would be best known for his famous statement "I think, therefore I am" (cogito, ergo sum), which is often considered the starting point of modern philosophy. Descartes would also make significant contributions to mathematics and science. He would develop the Cartesian coordinate system, which is still used today in mathematics and physics. He would also make important contributions to optics and geometry.
1632	Notable birth	Baruch Spinoza is born. He would become a key figure in 17th-century Rationalism, expanding upon Descartes' principles. He would assert that God is the sole substance with thought and extension attributes. All aspects of the natural world, including humans, are modes of this substance and can only be understood through pure thought. This contrasts with Empiricism, emphasizing sensory experience for knowledge. Spinoza's ideas would contribute to the Enlightenment's French Rationalism, with Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu. Rationalism aims for a framework of philosophical discourse outside religious beliefs, and its influence persists through figures like Kant and 20th-century organized Rationalism with empirical leanings.
1646	Notable birth	Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz is born. A 17th-century Rationalist, he would merge Descartes' ideas with Aristotle's form and his concept of monads. Innate ideas exist virtually in the intellect, becoming actualized through introspection. He would seek solutions beyond Descartes' work. Rationalism, a movement emphasizing intellectual reason over sensory experience, would flourish during the Age of Reason. Leibniz's unique approach aims to reconcile rationalism with other philosophies.
1694	Notable birth	François-Marie Arouet, known as Voltaire, is born. A prominent 18th-century French philosopher and writer, is would be celebrated for his courageous opposition to tyranny, bigotry, and cruelty. His critical and satirical works would champion progress and influence European civilization during a transitional era from classicism to revolution. Voltaire's legacy would evoke both criticism and admiration, with his teachings promoting clear thinking and a blend of precision and generosity in an evolving world. Today, he remains an essential philosopher, notably impacting Enlightenment ideals amid changing societal landscapes.
1712	Notable birth	Jean-Jacques Rousseau is born.
1809	Notable birth	Charles Darwin is born.
1856	Notable birth	George Bernard Shaw is born.
1859	Literature	English philosopher John Stuart Mill publishes On Liberty. It would be included in the Thinker's Library series of the Rationalist Press Association.	England
1860	Literature	Herbert Spencer publishes Education Intellectual, Moral and Physical. It would be included in the Thinker's Library series of the Rationalist Press Association.
1866	Notable birth	H. G. Wells is born.
1872	Notable birth	Bertrand Russell is born.
1885	Organization	The Rationalist Press Association is established by freethinkers seeking a more intellectual focus than the British secularist movement. It aims to publish anti-religious literature overlooked by mainstream publishers. Renamed in 2002 as Rationalist Association, it gains momentum after 1902 by reprinting scientific works and creating the Thinker's Library series. Membership peaks in 1959, but popularity would lead to mainstream competition, causing a decline. The association continues to publish the New Humanist magazine. Its history reflects efforts to promote rationalism amidst changing times and publishing landscapes.
1892	Notable birth	J. B. S. Haldane is born.
1897	Literature	Grant Allen publishes The Evolution of the Idea of God. It would be included in the Thinker's Library series of the Rationalist Press Association.
1899	Literature	Ernst Haeckel publishes The Riddle of the Universe at the Close of the Nineteenth Century. It would be included in the Thinker's Library series of the Rationalist Press Association.
1902	Notable birth	Karl Popper is born.
1908	Literature	H. G. Wells publishes First and Last Things. It would be included in the Thinker's Library series of the Rationalist Press Association.
2010s	Technological Impact	The growing field of data science, which relies on rational analysis of large datasets to draw conclusions and make decisions.	Global
2020s	Technological impact	The continued application of rationalist principles in AI development, with advancements in machine learning and automation, emphasizing logical reasoning in technology.	Global
1913–1922		Herbert Leon serves as president of the Rationalist Association, playing a key role in promoting secularism, reason, and scientific inquiry during a time of significant social and political change. Leon, a fervent advocate for rationalist and freethought principles, works to strengthen the association's commitment to challenging religious orthodoxy and advocating for human rights.
1922	Literature	H. G. Wells publishes A Short History of the World. It would be included in the Thinker's Library series of the Rationalist Press Association.
1923	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes Daedalus; or, Science and the Future.
1926–1929		Graham Wallas, a prominent British social psychologist and political theorist, serves as president of the Rationalist Association. Wallas, known for his work in social psychology and as a founding member of the Fabian Society, contributes significantly to rationalist thought during his presidency. Under his leadership, the association focuses on advocating for the application of reason in addressing social and political issues, challenging traditional religious and metaphysical beliefs.
1929	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes The origin of life in the Rationalist Annual.
1929–1933		Harold Laski serves as president of the Rationalist Association. A notable English political theorist and economist, he would chair the British Labour Party from 1945 to 1946 and teach at the London School of Economics from 1926 to 1950. Initially advocating pluralism and local voluntary communities, his views would shift towards advocating a workers' revolution, which would cause controversy within the Labour Party. He would play a key role in Marxist intellectual circles and influence leaders of newly independent nations in Asia and Africa. Despite his influence, he would face skepticism from moderate Labour politicians and would be never given significant government positions or a peerage. Laski's legacy is mixed, with his ideas resonating in various contexts and his impact felt in India and beyond.
1929	Literature	Thinker's Library publishes Humanity's gain from unbelief: And other selections from the works of Charles Bradlaugh, highlighting the contributions of the influential British activist and atheist, Charles Bradlaugh. A prominent figure in the 19th century, Bradlaugh had been a staunch advocate for secularism, free thought, and the rights of atheists. This collection presents his writings on the positive impacts of unbelief, challenging religious dogma and promoting reason, science, and individual liberty.
1933–1940		Harry Snell, 1st Baron Snell serves as president of the Rationalist Association.
1934	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes Fact and Faith, in which he discusses the conflict between science and religious faith. Haldane advocates for a rational and scientific approach to understanding the world, challenging religious dogma and emphasizing the importance of evidence-based reasoning.
1934	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes Human Biology and Politics.
1937	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes View on race and eugenics: propaganda or science?.
1938	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes Heredity and Politics, which focuses on the relationship between genetics, heredity, and social and political factors. Haldane's work in genetics and his advocacy for scientific reasoning in various areas of life would contribute to the broader intellectual climate of rationalism during his time.
1940–1947		C. Marsh Beadnell serves as president of the Rationalist Association.
1947	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane pulishes The Limitations of Rationalism.
1948–1949		C. D. Darlington serves as president of the Rationalist Association. An accomplished English biologist and geneticist, he is known for his discovery of chromosomal crossover's role in evolution. His research on genetics would greatly contribute to the modern evolutionary synthesis. Darlington would hold the Sherardian Chair of Botany at the University of Oxford from 1953 to 1971. However, his legacy is marred by controversial views on eugenics, racism, and social Darwinism. He would engage in public debates about science and politics, vehemently opposing Lysenkoism and advocating for genetic insights in understanding human history. Despite his significant contributions to genetics, his divisive perspectives would spark ongoing discussions about his legacy.
1949–1954		Archie Edward Heath serves as president of the Rationalist Association. A philosopher and influential professor of philosophy, he would be known for his role in the 'Swansea School of Philosophy.' A mentor of notable philosophers like Rush Rhees and Peter Winch, he would also edit "Scientific Thought in the Twentieth Century," featuring contributions from prominent thinkers. He would emphasize rationality and lived values. His funeral, conducted by H. J. Blackham, would celebrate his dedication to understanding human complexity.
1949	Organization	The Indian Rationalist Association is founded as the "Rationalist Association of India," it would changed its name later. Notably, it would undertake campaigns against miraculous claims, supported by leaders like Sanal Edamaruku, who would become its president in 2005. The organization would be involved in opposing superstitions related to various phenomena, challenging influential godmen, and conducting campaigns against pseudoscience. The Indian Rationalist Association would significantly contribute to promoting rational and scientific thinking in the country. Today, with around 100,000 members, it actively promotes scientific skepticism and critiques supernatural claims in India. It organizes seminars, publishes books and magazines, and features representatives in media to expose superstitions.
1951	Literature	Sir Leslie Stephen publishes An Agnostic's Apology, and Other Essays . It is included in the Thinker's Library series of the Rationalist Press Association.
1952	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane pulishes A Rationalist Approach to the Problem of Sexual Relations.
1952	Organizational foundation	The International Humanist and Ethical Union founded.	Global
1954	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane pulishes essay A Rationalist with a Halo.
1955–1970		Bertrand Russell serves as president of the Rationalist Association.
1959		Having Bertrand Russell as President, membership of the Rationalist Association peaks with more than 5000 members.
1965	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes On Being Finite.
1968	Literature	J. B. S. Haldane publishes Science and Life.
1970–1973		Barbara Wootton, Baroness Wootton of Abinger serves as president of the Rationalist Association.
1973–1981		Ritchie Calder serves as president of the Rationalist Association.
1976	Organizational foundation	Committee for Skeptical Inquiry established	United States
1980s	Intellectual advancement	The rise of cognitive science, which integrates philosophy, psychology, and artificial intelligence, applying rational principles to the study of the mind.	United States
1982–1999		Hermann Bondi serves as president of the Rationalist Association.
1990s–2000s	Technological Impact	Internet facilitates rationalist and skeptical communities	Global
2020	Organization	The Rationality Community and EA movement expand globally with new hubs.	Global